Judging a breed one adores is a joy, so I was over the moon when I was asked to judge Alaskan Malamutes at this show. As always, the Malamutes were wonderful. Over the years temperament has improved as has soundness. Sportsmanship within the breed could be a little better but this comment applies to a few and not all. I have now been involved with this magnificent breed since the early 1980s but my enthusiasm for them has not diminished over the years. It isn’t that long ago since I last judged the breed and although the entry was not large, there were some really good quality dogs present. Many would be worthy of the title of ‘champion’. My Open Dog class was particularly strong but overall, the bitches were of a little better quality than the dogs. Those that know me, know that movement and conformation of working breeds is of the utmost importance to me, if it moves well, then theoretically, it should be well constructed. I am aware of the ideal height clause in the breed standard being set at 25inches for males and 23inches for bitches, however, balance, and construction are important too. This freighting breed cannot be too small or too narrow. It needs the heart and lung room for the job and the construction of the forequarters and front action when coming towards me, need to have sufficient width, without being too wide, to allow for the correct shape and volume of chest, plus, the position of the feet when freighting is important to allow for the reach and pull required to balance the drive from the hindquarters. My thanks to my wonderful stewards for doing an excellent job. Good stewards are such a blessing! My thanks also to the exhibitors who accepted my placings so graciously.

JD (2,1) 1. Aitchison’s & Hurst’s Kaskae Eiffel For You – 16-months-old but already displaying many of the qualities that make this breed what it is. He is quite heavily boned, having a good frame onto which to lay down muscle as he matures. He has a good head, correct eye shape and colour, small triangular ears, correct scissor bite and sufficient arch of neck. Side-on his topline is straight but he does look a little long in loin. Currently, he lacks muscle throughout, and this is quite evident in his hindquarters. When moving away from me he moves a little wide behind and does not have enough drive. Time will be his best friend, and I would like to see this young male again once he has matured. Overall, a nice dog.

PGD (1) 1. Anderton-Tyers’ Katabatics Hardcore Hevy At Flinsky – 2-years-old and not reached full maturity yet in my opinion, but plenty to like about him already. He has sufficient bone, his head is quite good but needs to broaden a little more, super eye shape but I would prefer a slightly darker eye. Ears could be a little smaller, but placement and carriage are good. Viewed from the front, his legs are quite straight, perhaps a little narrower than I would like and when moving towards me, his front is a little loose. I think a bit more muscle would sort this out. Side-on, he looks very good, perhaps he is a little over-angulated and this affects his rear action. His coat has the correct texture for the breed and pigmentation is good.

LD (3) 1. Burgess’, Burgess’ & Page’s Cedarcreek The Only Way Is Up – 19-months old with plenty of bone and powerfully built throughout. He has a broad head of good proportions. His eyes are a little bold for me. Ear shape is good with sufficiently rounded tips. He has enough bone in his forequarters. His mouth is correct. Side-on, he has a straight back, and he is strongly built. Hindquarters are well muscled and vertical when viewed from behind, feet are well constructed. Tail set and carriage are good, coat is of excellent texture. I don’t think this boy has reached his full potential yet, he still has some maturing to do.
2. Gibson’s Boreal Routes Conundrum For Ahtohallan (Imp Swe) – As with my class winner, he is strongly built with enough bone throughout. Although I would like a little more stop, his head is in proportion to his size, and his expression is pleasant. His ears are of the correct shape, but perhaps could be slightly smaller. His front angulation is good, but he stands a bit straight behind and this affects his rear action. His feet are good, and his tail set is breed typical.

OD (7,2). This was an incredibly difficult class to judge. Some stunning dogs, all deserving to win the CC or RCC today. When one gets a class like this, it really is down to splitting hairs. I do like a harsh, weatherproof coat. It can be hard to assess coat, when grooming products get in the way, often making the coat feel softer than it is. The breed standard stipulates that the ‘dense undercoat’ should be ‘oily and woolly’, with good reason for this breed.
1. Ellis-Payne’s Chayo Here Comes Trouble – Probably the most powerfully constructed dog of the day. He is not overly compact, and he has plenty length of leg. Viewed from the front, his head is very broad and flat at the top. He has a strong muzzle and nose pigment is correct for his colouring. No dog is perfect and if I could improve one thing on this dog, I would prefer his jowls to be a little tighter, this however is a personal preference and not a breed standard requirement. He has a perfect scissor bite. His neck is strong, and of good length. His front assembly is excellent! His forearm is long enough to ensure he is not tied in elbow, and the angulation and proportions are good to ensure he has super front action. Side-on his body is super, strongly built, his back is straight, and his loins are well-muscled. Rear angulation is excellent, nothing overdone. Breed typical feet being large and very compact. Tail set and carriage around the ring is excellent. Movement in all directions is what I expect from this breed, free flowing and tireless. Difficult to fault. DCC BOB
2. Tozzi’s Multi Ch The Magician Uniroyal – Another stunning male, of a different type to my class winner. There is much to like about this 7-year-old veteran male. He is of a good size and viewed side-on, he looks impressive. I would prefer a tiny bit more angulation in his forequarters and a bit more length to his forearm. Viewed from behind, his hindquarters are very good, they are well-muscled and broad and typical for this breed. Viewed from the front, he looks a tad narrow, and when moving towards me, he appears a little tied in elbow. His side movement and rear action are excellent. Overall, a super dog, not showing his age. Well presented. RCC 

JB (1) 1. Druce’s & Druce’s & Aitchison’s Kaskae Ooh La La Avev Druxie – What a lovely bitch and only 16 months old! So feminine in every way. It would be impossible to mistake her for a male. She is strongly built and her proportions throughout are very good. She has beautiful, dark, expressive almond shaped eyes, she has a broad flat skull and a large muzzle. Perhaps her ears could be a tad smaller, but they are well carried. Her neck and shoulders are breed typical with plenty of bone and her body powerfully built. Her hindquarters have sufficient angulation and when moving, her movement is difficult to fault in any direction. So much to like about her. I will watch her progress with interest. RBCC.

LB (4). This was not an easy class to judge as both soundness and type were mixed.
1. Burgess’ Tolketna Top Of The World To Mountainglen – This bitch has many breed positive points. Side on she has a superb outline not being too compact and with overall proportions being good, a straight back and a good depth of chest. Her head is a little narrow for me and perhaps her ears are a little large, but she does have super almond-shaped eyes and feminine expression. Her rear angulation is very good and when moving away from me, her rear movement is breed specific. Her forequarters are not as strong as her hindquarters and front movement is not as good. She has the correct shaped feet and a well-set tail, which she carries well when moving, coat texture and colour are good.
2. Sheehan’s Powderhound’s Spark Will Fly At Amaqqut (Imp USA) – Such a lovely bitch who was not showing today, which is such a pity. I wish she kept her ears up as I’m sure she would have a delightful expression. When standing she looks so well put together but her movement cannot be assessed. Going over her, she has a strong back and good angulation of her hindquarters. Her forequarters are a little loose. I would like the chance to go over her again when she is more settled. 

OB (7,2). A strong class of really good bitches and worthy champions.
1. Page’s Ch. The Magician Bloody Mary Cedarcreek (Imp Ita) – Powerfully built bitch but still very feminine in every way. For me she ticks nearly all the boxes of what I expect this breed to look like. Her head is sufficiently broad and flat, and her eye shape is excellent, her front and rear assemblies are very good, enough angulation and bone to ensure strong and efficient movement around the ring. Tail set and carriage are good, and she holds her topline when moving. If I could change anything, I would make her feet a little more compact. Overall, a lovely bitch, beautifully handled. BCC.
2. Copley-Holland’s Ch Katabatics Troubleshooter JW – Really caught my eye when she entered the ring, she has excellent presence and is charismatic. Going over her, she is incredibly well put together. I think I have judged this girl before. For a bitch, she has the correct amount of bone and muscle, her body is correct shape, her skull is broad but still feminine. Perhaps her ears are a little low set, but it is difficult to tell if this is the case or if she carried her ears that way due to the noise around the ring and in the hall. Her angulation fore and aft is excellent, her outline is gorgeous and difficult to fault. She was let down by her movement. She put together well so she should move well, and she did when she settled. It is a shame as I think she is lovely through and through. Loved her. 

Dolores Montgomery